Missouri Farmers Meet to Discuss Issues

COLUMBIA - Members of the agricultural community in central Missouri met Thursday to discuss issues they feel are threatening Missouri farmers. A couple of those threats discussed were The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

The town hall meeting was hosted by Missouri Farmers Care, which is a coalition of agricultral groups in Missouri. The event was co-sponsored by the Boone County Cattlemen, who ended the meeting by presenting a $250 donation to Missouri Farmers Care.

The primary issue discussed was the "Your Vote Counts" Act. According to the official website, "the constitutional measure would require a three-fourths vote in both the House and the Senate, or a vote of the people by referendum, in order for the legislature to repeal or amend any voter-approved initiative."

Operations Manager of Missouri Farmers Care, Dan Kleinsorge, is unhappy with the act. "It's an abuse of the initiative petition process," he said.

Issues were also raised with HSUS for many reasons, including their support of removing lead from ammunition and fishing hooks. Opponents believe this will increase the cost of ammunition and decrease hunting.

But the meeting was not just to spread information about threats to Missouri Agriculture.

"It's showing unity through the agricultural community," said Karen Strange who is the president of Missouri Federation of Animal Owners. "It's important to protect the rights to raise animals and crops and participate in agriculture."

She has a special interest in one topic discussed, Proposition B, or the The Missouri Dog Breeding Regulation Initiative. She fought hard against Prob B because she, and many others in attendance, felt it hurt legitimate dog breeders more than it actually stopped puppy Mills.

This was one of about a dozen similar meetings hosted by Missouri Farmers Care.